Chapter 1: Rainy and Foggy London and the Soaked Book
The cold rain, carrying the gloomy atmosphere unique to London in March, lashed fiercely against the grimy windowpane.
Lynn suddenly opened his eyes; the biting cold didn't come from the rain outside, but from the hard, uncomfortable single bed board beneath him, and the peculiar smell of old wood mixed with cheap disinfectant that permeated the air.
His head was splitting, as if countless needles were stirring inside his skull.
Fragments of memories that didn't belong to him surged through his consciousness like a bursting dam.
Lynn Li, an orphaned Chinese boy also named Lynn, whose parents died young, grew up struggling in this orphanage called "Oak House" in East London, having just turned eleven.
As for him, the other Lynn, the last image in his memory was of him wearily closing the dog-eared copy of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" after working late into the night, his computer screen still paused on a forum post about a character analysis of Hermione Granger... followed by a dizzying darkness.
Transmigration? And into a book he knew by heart?
Lynn propped himself up and looked around the small, old room.
Mottled walls, creaking wooden floors, the only light source was the dim gray light from outside the window.
He pinched his thigh, and the clear pain cruelly shattered the last shred of hope that this was a dream.
"Is this the Wizarding World?" he murmured, his heart pounding uncontrollably.
This point in time meant that the curtain of the Wizarding World was about to open for him—or rather, for "Lynn Li."
But at this moment, an even stronger feeling was one of absurdity, followed by immense loneliness.
He had become a rootless outsider, playing a role that didn't originally exist in a story both familiar and strange.
The dull breakfast time at the orphanage ended, and Mrs. Smith, the administrator, announced in her usual, slightly impatient tone that the afternoon was "free activity time, but don't cause trouble."
Lynn pulled his thin coat tighter around him and almost instinctively walked towards the familiar community Library nearby—in his memory, one of the few places of solace for the original Lynn.
The Library was well-heated, keeping out the damp cold from outside.
The quiet atmosphere allowed Lynn's chaotic thoughts to calm down slightly.
He wandered aimlessly between the bookshelves, his fingers brushing over the spines; familiar titles brought a fleeting, illusory comfort.
Just as he reached the children's section, a suppressed sob and the harsh jeers of several boys broke the silence.
"Hey, look! 'Miss Know-it-all' is reading those unwanted thick books again!"
"Who does she think she is? The teacher's little pet?"
"Give me the book! Let's see if it's full of her stars and 'O's!"
"Go away! This is my book!" a tearful yet incredibly stubborn girl's voice rang out.
Lynn looked in the direction of the sound.
He saw three boys, looking eleven or twelve, wearing clearly ill-fitting old clothes, surrounding a corner.
Trapped in the middle was a little girl.
She had a mass of thick, messy brown curly hair, which was now a bit frizzy from struggling, like a startled lion cub.
Her pale little face was flushed red, and her large, deer-like brown eyes were brimming with tears, yet she clutched a hardback book tightly to her chest, refusing to let go.
She wore a faded pink coat with somewhat worn cuffs and carried a bulging old schoolbag.
Despite her young age, that familiar curly hair and those eyes full of wisdom and stubbornness instantly struck Lynn's heart—Hermione Granger!
It was her! Hermione, still in primary school, who hadn't yet received her Hogwarts acceptance letter!
A strong protective urge instantly dispelled Lynn's confusion.
He barely thought, taking several large strides to rush over and stand between Hermione and the boys.
He was slightly taller than the boys, and his sudden appearance, coupled with his imposing aura, startled the leader.
"Hey, you guys," Lynn's voice was deliberately low, carrying an undeniable chill, "what kind of skill is it to bully a little girl? The Library is for reading, not for you to act like thugs.
Do I need to call Mrs. Smith, the administrator, to mediate?"
He specifically mentioned the strict administrator of the nearby orphanage, whose reputation was known to all the children around here.
The leading boy clearly recognized Lynn and knew of Mrs. Smith's "fame," a hint of apprehension flashing across his face.
But he still wouldn't back down: "Wha... what's it to you? Lynn Li!
Mind your own business! She's a freak, always reading books!"
"Reading is a good thing." Lynn stood his ground, his gaze sharp as he swept over them, "At least it's much better than some people who only know how to bully the weak with their fists and mouths.
Now, immediately, leave here.
Don't make me say it a second time." He slightly turned his body, revealing the passage behind him that led to the administrator's office.
The three boys looked at each other, ultimately blustering, muttering a few phrases like "You're lucky," and "freak with freak," then turned and ran off resentfully, disappearing behind the bookshelves.
The Library corner returned to quiet, with only Hermione's uncontrollable, small sobs remaining.
She still clutched the book tightly, as if it were her only shield, watching Lynn warily, her big eyes filled with lingering fright and a hint of confusion.
Lynn's heart instantly softened.
He squatted down, trying to keep his gaze level with Hermione's, a gentle smile on his face, trying to dispel the earlier harshness.
"Hi, it's okay, they're gone." His voice was extremely soft, as if afraid of startling a frightened little bird, "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
Hermione sniffled, trying hard to hold back her tears, but with little success.
She shook her head, whispering, "No... not hurt.
Thank you..." Her gaze fell on Lynn's orphanage badge on his chest, then quickly moved away.
"You're welcome." Lynn's smile grew warmer, "My name is Lynn, Lynn Li." He pointed to himself, "What's your name?"
"Hermione... Hermione Granger." The little girl's voice was still nasal but much clearer.
She finally relaxed a bit, her arms holding the book loosened slightly, revealing the cover of the hardback—"The British Children's Encyclopedia: Wonderful Science Edition."
"Nice to meet you, Hermione." Lynn noticed the book in her arms, "Science? That's cool.
I also like to study these things." He pointed to the encyclopedia, "Especially the parts about math and logic."
Hermione's eyes instantly brightened, like two polished amber stones.
"Really?" She seemed a bit incredulous, yet with a hint of surprise at finding a kindred spirit, "You also find logic interesting? Like... like the 'river crossing problem' in the book?" She was referring to a classic logic puzzle about a farmer taking a wolf, a sheep, and a cabbage across a river.
"Oh! That one!" Lynn immediately showed great interest, "Of course! That's a classic.
The key is not to let the wolf and the sheep be alone together, and not to let the sheep and the cabbage be alone together, right?
You have to find the correct sequence." He deliberately didn't give the answer, guiding Hermione.
Hermione nodded vigorously, tears still on her face, but the fear and grievance from earlier had been replaced by a pure excitement for knowledge.
"Yes! I tried several methods, but they were always wrong.
The farmer should take the sheep across first!" She eagerly shared her thoughts.
"That's right, taking the sheep first is safe." Lynn nodded approvingly, "Then the farmer comes back himself, and the second time he can choose to take the wolf or the cabbage... If it were you, which would you take?" He was like a patient guide.
Hermione furrowed her small brow, lost in serious thought, her fingers unconsciously twisting a corner of the book page.
Looking at this small Hermione, immersed in the world of logic, Lynn felt a strange warmth and an ineffable sense of destiny surge within him.
This was the girl renowned for her wisdom in the Wizarding World; even in the Muggle world, her shining light was so clear.
The two of them, discussing this logic puzzle, began to talk in low voices in the quiet corner of the Library.
Lynn didn't directly give the answer but guided Hermione to deduce it step by step with questions.
Hermione's eyes grew brighter and brighter, her thoughts clearer and clearer, and when she finally deduced the correct steps completely, her small face bloomed with a huge sense of accomplishment and pure joy, completely forgetting the unpleasantness from earlier.
"You're amazing, Lynn!" Hermione praised him sincerely, her eyes full of admiration and closeness as she looked at Lynn.
"No, you figured it out yourself, you're very smart, Hermione." Lynn said genuinely.
He looked out the window; the rain seemed to have lessened.
"Are you hungry? To celebrate you solving the problem, how about I treat you to some fries?
I know the fries at the shop on the corner are especially crispy and delicious."
Hermione hesitated, touched her small stomach, and then looked at Lynn's gentle smile, finally unable to resist the temptation of fries and this new friendship, she nodded, a shy smile appearing on her small face.
"O-okay.
Thank you, Lynn."
Lynn stood up and naturally extended his hand.
Hermione hesitated for a second, then placed her small hand in his palm.
That small hand was a bit cool but very soft.
Lynn led her, carefully stepping around the small puddles on the ground, and walked out of the Library.
Hermione's other hand still clutched her encyclopedia tightly, as if it were her most precious treasure.
Stepping out of the Library, the air after the rain carried the freshness of earth.
Lynn led the small Hermione down the wet sidewalk, his mood brighter than at any time since his transmigration.
Just then, Hermione suddenly exclaimed "Oh dear!" and stopped.
"What's wrong?" Lynn asked with concern.
Hermione's small face crumpled with annoyance: "I... I think I left another book on my seat in the Library!
That 'Basic Spells and Elementary magic Theory'!
Dad had such a hard time borrowing it for me!" She was so anxious she was almost crying; that book seemed very important to her.
Lynn's heart stirred.
"Basic Spells"? A Muggle little girl reading such a book?
This was clearly an important sign!
He immediately comforted her: "Don't worry, Hermione.
We'll go back and look; we just came out of the Library, it should still be on your seat.
I'll go back with you."
Hermione nodded vigorously, and the two turned and walked back quickly.
However, just as they were about to re-enter the Library doors, Lynn's peripheral vision caught sight of an inconspicuous corner near the Library entrance—there was an old wooden shelf for lost and found items.
A thin book with a dark blue cover, printed with intricate silver star patterns, lay solitary on the shelf, its page edges seemingly slightly damp from the rain.
Lynn's footsteps halted.
He had never seen the cover of that book before, but a strong, ineffable intuition instantly gripped him.
It was as if the book was calling to him, emitting a faint yet undeniable warmth.
He almost unconsciously reached out, his fingertips touching the cool, damp cover.
At that very moment—
A faint but clear sensation of electricity instantly coursed through his entire body!
He seemed to hear a silent hum from the depths of his soul.
The noisy background of the Library, Hermione's anxious calls, even the sound of the rain outside, were instantly pulled away, blurred.
The entire world was reduced to the presence of the book at his fingertips, and a tiny, yet incredibly real... Spark, suddenly ignited in a long-dormant place deep within him.
Lynn abruptly pulled his hand back, his heart pounding violently in his chest, almost shattering his ribs.
He looked down at his fingertips, where a strange tingling sensation seemed to linger.
"Lynn? What's wrong?" Hermione tugged at his sleeve in confusion; she was anxious to find her lost book.
Lynn took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulent waves in his heart, and managed a smile at Hermione: "N-nothing, just a little dizzy all of a sudden.
Let's hurry and find your book." He took one last deep look at the mysterious dark blue book, forcibly averted his gaze, and followed Hermione back into the Library.
However, the strange sensation lingering on his fingertips and the faint "Spark" within him, like a huge stone thrown into a calm lake, stirred up enormous ripples in his heart.
On this rainy afternoon in London in 1991, after meeting the little brown-haired curly-haired girl, Lynn Li's world, for the first time, truly touched the boundary of "magic."
The gears of fate, at the moment he took Hermione Granger's small hand, and the instant his fingertips touched that mysterious book, rumbled into motion, heading down a path full of unknowns, yet also destined to be closely intertwined with her, the path of magic.
Chapter 2 French Fries, Stars, and Sparks on Your Fingertips
The small shop on the corner, named 'Old Jack's Fish and Chips,' had a modest facade. Oil stains still lingered on the red and white checkered plastic tablecloths, and the air was filled with the tempting aroma of grease and salt. Lynn used the few coins he had in his pocket to buy the largest portion of fries. The golden-brown fries were piled up like a small mountain, steaming hot.
He and Hermione sat side by side on high stools by the window. The windowpane was covered with a thin layer of condensation from the warmth inside, blurring the wet street outside into a flowing, grayish-green expanse.
"Here, be careful, it's hot," Lynn said, pushing the paper cone of fries towards Hermione and carefully handing her a small packet of ketchup and a few rough napkins.
"Thank you," Hermione whispered, her eyes sparkling as she stared at the mountain of fries. She carefully picked up a single fry with two fingers, blew on it, and then bit into it with a crunch. A look of satisfaction immediately spread across her small face, her cheeks puffed out like a little squirrel's. The earlier fright and distress seemed to have been completely dispelled by this simple yet comforting food.
Lynn felt a warmth surge in his heart as he watched her eat happily. He picked up a fry, dipped it in a little salt, and ate it slowly, his gaze falling on Hermione's satchel on her lap. The book, 'Basic Spells and Elementary magic Theory,' lay safely inside—they had just returned to the Library and fortunately found it in the corner of a bench in the children's section.
"That book," Lynn began, feigning casualness and pointing to her satchel, "'Basic Spells'... sounds very profound. Did your dad borrow it?" He tried to make his tone sound merely curious, not inquisitive.
Hermione swallowed her fries, nodded, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and mystery. "Mm-hmm! Even though Dad is a dentist, he worked at the University of London Library in his early years, and he always finds some special books." She lowered her voice, leaning slightly forward as if sharing a huge secret, "This book... what it talks about is very strange, but it also seems... real?"
"Oh? Like what?" Lynn prompted, his heart beating a little faster.
"Well..." Hermione wrinkled her cute little brow, trying to organize her thoughts, "For example, it says that there's an invisible force in the world that can influence reality through specific... well... 'guidance methods' and strong willpower. It also says that this force is particularly evident in some ancient families... like a hereditary talent." She paused, looking a little embarrassed at Lynn, "I know it sounds silly, like a fairy tale."
"Not silly at all," Lynn immediately shook his head, his expression serious. "Doesn't science always explore the unknown? Before Newton was hit by an apple, gravity was also invisible and intangible. Maybe this force you're talking about is just something we haven't found the right 'apple' to prove yet." He used her previous logic and scientific thinking to draw an analogy, which made Hermione's eyes light up instantly.
"You think so too?" she asked, surprised, as if she had found a kindred spirit. "I knew it! The book also talks about some very strange symbols and gestures, and some convoluted... well, like incantations? But unfortunately, I've tried a few times, and nothing seems to happen." She poked at her fries, a little dejectedly.
Lynn understood. At this age, Hermione was already actively engaging with and learning knowledge beyond her comprehension, but she lacked true guidance. He smiled and comforted her, "Maybe it's just not the right time, or you're missing a crucial 'key'? It's like when we solve puzzles, sometimes we get stuck just one step away."
"Key..." Hermione repeated the word thoughtfully, her brown eyes filled with a thirst for knowledge.
The rain outside began to patter again. The two quietly ate their fries. Hermione would occasionally point to something interesting outside the window, like a sparrow hopping in the rain, or a red double-decker bus splashing water. Lynn responded patiently, sharing some interesting tidbits he knew about London, and even skillfully picked up fries with chopsticks (a habit he specifically maintained, as they had them in the Oak House Orphanage kitchen), drawing Hermione's surprised gaze and requests to try.
"This is much better than a fork!" Hermione exclaimed, after several clumsy attempts, finally succeeding in picking up a fry. She laughed happily, her earlier frustration completely gone. The small table was filled with a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere.
The fries were quickly gone. Hermione looked at the old wall clock and said, a little reluctantly, "I should go home; Mom and Dad will worry."
"I'll walk you to the corner," Lynn stood up and naturally picked up Hermione's satchel. The satchel was heavier than it looked, stuffed with books.
The rain was fine and cool. Lynn opened his somewhat worn black umbrella, tilting it as much as possible towards Hermione. The two walked side by side on the wet sidewalk, forming a small, warm, and dry world under the umbrella. Hermione, holding her recovered 'Basic Spells,' walked with a much lighter step.
"Lynn," Hermione suddenly looked up. The sky, washed by the rain, was gray, but her eyes were astonishingly bright. "Do you think... there's magic on the stars too?"
"Hmm?" Lynn looked down at her.
"That book mentioned that some ancient sages believed that the arrangement and movement of the stars contained immense energy and secrets, and could even influence the 'magical tides' on Earth," Hermione's voice was full of longing. "If only one day we could fly up to the stars and see."
The innocent words of a child, however, were like a stone thrown into Lynn's heart, instantly stirring up that strange sensation he felt at the Library entrance—the buzzing current when his fingertips touched the deep blue star book, and the faint Spark within him.
"Perhaps... you don't need to fly that far," Lynn's voice was a little distant, his gaze involuntarily turning towards the Library again. That mysterious book, left on the lost and found shelf, attracted his thoughts like a magnet. "Some secrets might be right beside us; we just need a pair of eyes to discover them," he said meaningfully.
Hermione nodded, half-understanding, her small hand unconsciously stroking the cover of the book in her arms.
Soon, they reached the street corner where Hermione's house was located. A neat brick-red terraced house appeared before them, with warm yellow light emanating from the windows, looking especially cozy.
"My house is just ahead," Hermione stopped, took her satchel from Lynn's hand, her small face showing sincere gratitude and a hint of reluctance. "Thank you so much today, Lynn. Thank you for helping me chase away those bullies, thank you for treating me to fries, and... and for talking with me." She paused, seemingly gathering courage, and then quickly said, "You're the most interesting friend I've ever met!"
"It's my honor to be a friend of Miss Hermione Granger," Lynn smiled, bending slightly and performing a somewhat exaggerated but kind gentleman's bow.
Hermione giggled, her laughter like clear silver bells, dispelling the gloom of the rainy day. "Then... tomorrow afternoon, the Library?" she asked expectantly.
"Of course," Lynn nodded without hesitation. "Same place?"
"Mm-hmm! Same place!" Hermione nodded vigorously, a big smile blooming on her face, and then, hugging her satchel, she ran like a happy fawn towards the warmly lit door of her home. She reached the door and looked back, waving vigorously at Lynn.
Lynn also smiled and waved, waiting until he saw her safely enter her home before turning to leave. Under the umbrella, he was alone. The warmth and laughter from moments ago faded, replaced by a deeper sense of solitude and an intense longing for that mysterious book. That book... what exactly was it? Why did it react that way to his touch? And what did the 'Spark' within him mean?
Almost by an instinctive impulse, Lynn's steps involuntarily turned back towards the community Library. The rain seemed heavier than before, drumming a dense rhythm on the umbrella. His heart rate also accelerated, a mix of tension, anticipation, and a hint of fear of the unknown.
Pushing open the heavy wooden door of the Library, the familiar warmth and scent of books washed over him. The afternoon's bustle had subsided, leaving only a few scattered readers. Lynn's gaze immediately fell on the inconspicuous lost and found wooden shelf by the entrance.
The book was still there!
The deep blue cover seemed to glow faintly in the dimly lit corner. Silver star patterns shimmered with subtle, undetectable glints under the light. Lynn's heart pounded like a drum. He took a deep breath, suppressing the tremor in his fingertips, and walked over, step by step.
It was quiet all around, with only the faint sounds of the librarian tidying books in the distance. Lynnstood before the wooden shelf, holding his breath, and reached out his hand again. This time, he no longer hesitated, his fingers firmly and slowly covering the cool, damp cover.
**_Buzz_**—
Clearer than last time! Stronger!
That strange electric sensation instantly exploded from his fingertips, like countless tiny silver needles, rapidly spreading upwards along the nerve pathways of his arm, rushing straight to his head! His brain felt as if a flashbang had been thrown into it; after a moment of blankness, countless unnamable, fragmented, and ancient syllables roared, spun, and whispered in the depths of his consciousness! They were disjointed but carried an indescribable rhythm and sense of power. Simultaneously, the faint "Spark" within him suddenly flared up! A weak but truly existing warm current, like a awakened stream, gurgled from his heart, instantly flowing through his limbs and bones, dispelling the damp chill of the rain and bringing a strange, powerful warmth.
Lynn abruptly pulled his hand back, his body uncontrollably stumbling backward a step, hitting the bookshelf behind him with a soft "thud." He gasped for air, fine beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead, his face somewhat pale. The sensation of that instant was too shocking! It was not an illusion! Absolutely not!
He looked down at his palm; his fingertips still seemed to retain that tingling, electric sensation. Although the warm current within him quickly subsided, the "Spark" seemed a little brighter than before, and also a little more stable.
"Sir? Are you alright?" a gentle voice sounded nearby. It was the Library's librarian, an elderly woman with gold-rimmed glasses and gray hair, looking at him with concern.
"No... nothing," Lynn quickly straightened up, trying to steady his breathing and pounding heart, forcing a smile. "I just slipped a little."
"The roads are slippery in the rain; be careful," the old woman nodded, her gaze sweeping over the spot he had just touched—the deep blue book. A hint of understanding seemed to flash in her eyes, or perhaps it was just ordinary concern. "This book has been on the lost and found shelf for almost a week now; no one has come to claim it. The cover is quite special, isn't it?"
"It... it's very special," Lynn's voice was still a little unsteady. He forced himself to avert his gaze, not daring to look at the book again, fearing it might cause another anomaly. "Excuse me... can I borrow this book?"
"Of course, items in lost and found, if someone is interested and willing to take good care of them, can be borrowed after registration," the old woman walked behind the counter, took out the registration book, "Please register your name and contact information."
Lynn picked up the pen, his fingers still slightly trembling from the lingering excitement. He neatly wrote: "Lynn Li, Oak House Orphanage."
"Lynn Li..." the old woman murmured, making a note in the registration book, and then carefully picked up the deep blue book from the lost and found shelf. She meticulously wiped away the remaining water stains from the cover with a clean, soft cloth before solemnly handing it to Lynn. "Please take good care of it. This book... looks like it's quite old."
"I will, thank you very much," Lynn took the book with both hands. It felt slightly heavy in his hands. The cover was made of a type of leather he had never encountered before, with a subtle grainy texture, cool to the touch, yet subtly exuding a gentle warmth. The silver star patterns appeared even more mysterious under the light, as if truly slowly swirling. This time, when his fingers fully contacted the cover, the intense electric sensation and buzzing did not appear; there was only an extremely faint, pulsating vibration, like a sleeping heartbeat, emanating from deep within the pages, subtly echoing the steadily burning "Spark" within him.
"What's its name?" Lynn couldn't help but ask, his gaze falling on the cover, where there was no text title.
The old woman shook her head, smiling, "It didn't have a name tag when it was brought in. Perhaps... it doesn't need a name. Knowledge itself is its soul."
Lynn hugged the nameless, deep blue star book tightly to his chest, like holding a lost and found treasure. The cold cover pressed against his chest, and that faint yet firm sense of resonance strangely dispelled the chill outside the Library and the loneliness within him.
He bid farewell to the librarian, opened his umbrella, and stepped back into the rain. The raindrops hitting the umbrella seemed to sound different. He looked down at the book in his arms, then looked up at the gray sky, as if he could pierce through the clouds to see the stars Hermione longed for, hidden behind them.
On this rain-shrouded London evening in 1991, Lynn Li's world, due to the arrival of a girl named Hermione Granger and a nameless star book, completely changed course. The strange sense of power lingering on his fingertips, the tiny Spark burning within him, the silent and mysterious vessel of knowledge in his arms... all silently declared: magic was no longer a distant legend, but a tangible reality in his palm, a destined current he was about to step into. And the starting point of this path was in the Library tomorrow afternoon, under the gaze of those wise and expectant brown eyes.
Chapter 3: The Dance of the Attic Light and Heartbeat
The small attic storage room at Oak House Orphanage became Lynn's only sanctuary.
It was filled with discarded tables and chairs, dusty old picture frames, and various items emitting the smell of mothballs, with only a tiny skylight allowing in a sliver of London's dim light.
Mrs. Smith's hawk-like eyes would never easily cast their gaze into this corner.
Lynn laboriously dragged an old screen to the doorway, barely creating a relatively secluded space, then carefully took out the deep blue, nameless star book from his embrace.
The book cover remained cool, but a faint, pulsating vibration, like a sleeping heartbeat, clearly transmitted through his fingertips, resonating strangely with the stable burning "Spark" within him.
Lynn sat cross-legged on the cold floor, using the faint light filtering through the skylight, holding his breath, and with a feeling akin to pilgrimage, opened the heavy cover.
There was no dazzling light as imagined, nor obscure Latin or Runic script.
What met his eyes were yellowed, strangely textured ancient pages, covered with dense, completely unfamiliar symbols.
They were not simple geometric shapes, but rather a peculiar fusion of abstract star trajectories, flowing energy patterns, and complex geometric structures.
The lines were sometimes smooth like a cascading galaxy, sometimes sharp like thorny thickets, intertwining to form deep and mysterious images.
There were no text annotations, no page numbers; only these silent symbols spoke ancient secrets in their stillness.
Lynn reached out a finger, with a touch of reverence and tentative curiosity, gently brushing over a set of symbols on the page.
That set of symbols depicted a pattern composed of three nested spirals and several sharp angles.
* *Buzz...* *
The page under his fingertip seemed to come alive!
A vibration, weaker than when he touched the cover but much clearer, instantly transmitted through, carrying an indescribable rhythm.
At the same time, the "Spark" within him gave a sudden jolt, and a subtle but real warm current followed, flowing along the veins of his arm, down to his fingertip's touch, seemingly about to infuse into the symbols on that page!
Lynn was startled, instinctively wanting to withdraw his hand.
But in that flash of an instant, a strong intuition gripped him—* *Guide it!* *
He forced himself to steady his mind, no longer resisting the warm current from within, but instead tried to "gaze" at the "Spark" with his mind, imagining it splitting off an extremely subtle, hair-thin wisp of energy, slowly and tentatively flowing towards his fingertip according to his will, infusing into that strange symbol.
The vibration under his fingertip suddenly intensified!
That set of originally static symbols seemed to be infused with life; the edges of the lines glowed with an extremely faint, almost imperceptible silver sheen!
The sheen flowed rapidly around the trajectory of the symbols, then instantly vanished.
The entire process was as quick as a blink; had Lynn not been fully focused, he would have almost missed it.
An indescribable sense of enlightenment, like a clear spring, instantly flowed through Lynn's consciousness!
Although he still couldn't understand the specific meaning of the symbol, he clearly "felt" the "state" it represented—a slight "disturbance" of energy, a nascent "tremor" of spatial structure.
Success?!
He really guided the power within him!
Immense joy and disbelief instantly overwhelmed Lynn.
His heart pounded, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, not from exertion, but from intense mental concentration and the shock of success.
He looked down at his fingertips, then at the symbols on the page that had returned to calm.
The "Spark" within him seemed to have dimmed slightly due to the recent "output," but it still burned steadily, with a subtle tendency to slowly recover.
"This feeling... it's amazing!" he murmured, his voice trembling slightly.
This was no longer the passive, shocking contact at the Library entrance, but his first time actively and consciously guiding and utilizing the mysterious power within him!
The star book was indeed the key for him to understand and master this power!
He couldn't wait to try the next symbol.
However, when he concentrated and tried to guide the "Spark" to release another wisp of energy, he felt a slight dizziness and a distinct sense of mental fatigue, as if he had just performed an intense mental calculation.
The "Spark" within him also transmitted a signal of "weakness."
"It seems... this power also needs 'exercise' and recovery, and cannot be overused." Lynn immediately became alert, suppressing his excitement, and closed the star book.
He understood the principle that possessing a treasure makes one a target; caution and concealment were necessary before fully mastering the power.
He carefully hid the book deep inside a worn, locked leather box, covering it with a few old clothes, and only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.
In the afternoon, at the familiar corner of the community Library.
Hermione almost ran in right on time, her small face flushed, her curly hair a bit disheveled, clearly having run too quickly.
The moment she saw Lynn, her eyes immediately lit up, like two sparkling brown gems.
"Lynn!" she trotted over, placed her heavy schoolbag on the table, and eagerly pulled out "Basic Spells and Elementary magic Theory" from it, her voice slightly raised with excitement, "Look! I tried that 'mental guidance' again last night!
Although nothing 'appeared' yet, I feel... I feel like the air is a little different!
It's like... like the slight tremor before water boils!" She tried hard to describe her subtle sensation, gesticulating with her small hands in the air.
Lynn looked at her excited expression, and his heart stirred.
Hermione's talent for energy perception was indeed innately keen!
Although she hadn't truly awakened her magic yet, her intuition was already far beyond ordinary people.
"Is that so? That's really great, Hermione!" Lynn praised sincerely, his eyes warm, "This shows that your 'perception' is very keen.
Perhaps, you are already very close to finding that 'key.'" He used the analogy of the "key" he had mentioned before.
Hermione nodded vigorously, her face radiant with the joy of being affirmed.
"Mm! I believe it! Oh, by the way, Lynn," she suddenly leaned in a bit, her big eyes sparkling with curiosity and a hint of slyness, "You seemed... very interested in that strange book on the lost and found shelf yesterday, didn't you?" She was referring to the star book.
Lynn's heart tightened slightly, but he maintained a calm expression.
"Oh, the cover of that book was very special, with silver star patterns, quite noticeable in the rain.
Later, the administrator let me borrow it, saying no one claimed it." He selectively revealed part of the truth.
"Really? Show it to me quickly!" Hermione's curiosity was instantly ignited, and her small hand reached out eagerly.
Lynn hesitated.
The star book was too mysterious, and too easy to attract unnecessary attention.
But looking at Hermione's pure, knowledge-seeking eyes, a thought flashed through his mind—perhaps, he could share a little "safe" secret?
He needed someone who understood the "common sense" of this world to discuss it with, and Hermione was undoubtedly the most suitable person, provided he was cautious enough.
"The book... is a bit old, and very special; the administrator told me to take good care of it." Lynncarefully chose his words, "However, when I tried to look at it yesterday, something... a little strange happened."
He deliberately lowered his voice, creating an atmosphere of sharing a secret.
"What happened, what happened?" Hermione was immediately drawn in, leaning forward, almost lying on the table.
Lynn spread his palm upward.
"I tried to concentrate, just like... well, just like you feel the 'air trembling,'" he guided Hermione's thoughts, "and then, I felt like there was a tiny... a tiny very faint warm current in my body, like a small Spark."
He avoided the concrete description of "Spark," using the more vague "warm current" and "small Spark."
"And then?" Hermione held her breath.
"Then, I tried to imagine guiding it to my fingertip," Lynn extended his right index finger, "Just now, while reading here, I tried it again..." He deliberately paused, building suspense.
Hermione's eyes widened, staring intently at his fingertip.
Lynn took a deep breath, mobilized the "Spark" within him, which had recovered somewhat, and carefully, extremely slowly, guided out a wisp of warm current, several times weaker than when he tried the star book, concentrating it at his fingertip.
This time, he didn't touch anything; he simply let this energy subtly "activate" under the skin of his fingertip.
One second... two seconds... under Hermione's anxious gaze, Lynn's index fingertip, extremely faintly, almost like an illusion, * *lit up* *!
The light was as faint as the most inconspicuous firefly on a summer night, a fleeting flash, not even as bright as the skylight outside.
If one wasn't staring intently, it would be almost impossible to notice!
"Ah!" Hermione, however, let out a short, suppressed gasp, her small hand suddenly covering her mouth, her big eyes filled with incredulous shock and ecstasy! "I saw it! Lynn! I saw it! Your fingertip! Just now... it just lit up!
Very, very small, like... like when a match first ignites!" Her voice trembled with excitement, her small face flushed with delight.
Lynn "timely" showed an expression of surprise and a hint of "confusion": "Really? You saw it too?
I thought I was staring at the book for too long and my eyes were playing tricks on me..." He withdrew his finger, and the faint warm current dissipated with it.
"It's true! I swear!" Hermione was so excited she almost jumped up.
She grabbed Lynn's wrist before he could withdraw it, her small finger eagerly poking the spot on his fingertip that had just glowed, "Right here!
It glowed right here just now! Lynn! Is this... is this...?" She didn't say the word, but the meaning in her eyes was crystal clear—this was the manifestation of the "power" mentioned in the book!
Lynn felt Hermione's warm and firm small hand on his wrist, and saw the incredibly excited and adoring light radiating from her because of him.
An indescribable sense of satisfaction and warmth filled his heart.
Sharing secrets, especially such magical secrets, brought a closeness far beyond the ordinary.
He gently took Hermione's hand (her wrist was very slender) in his, smiled and nodded, his eyes filled with encouragement and a hint of mystery: "Perhaps... this is a small hint the 'key' gave us?
It tells us that the direction is right."
"Mm! It must be!" Hermione nodded vigorously, her brown curls bouncing with her movements.
She was completely immersed in the great discovery and the excitement of sharing a secret with Lynn, even forgetting to release her grip on Lynn's wrist.
"It's amazing! Lynn! You're incredible!
I'm going to try even harder to 'feel' and 'guide' when I go back!" She seemed to be injected with infinite motivation.
"We'll work hard together." Lynn's smile was gentle and sincere, and the faint warmth lingering on his fingertips seemed to also transmit to Hermione's wrist, which he gently held.
In the small corner, two hearts exploring the unknown were closely connected by a "small Spark," filled with pure joy and sweet tacit understanding.
However, this beautiful atmosphere did not last long.
"Lynn Li!" A cold, stern voice, tinged with obvious displeasure, pierced the warmth of the corner like an icicle.
Mrs. Smith, the administrator of the Orphanage, had appeared at some point not far from their seats.
She wore her unchanging dark gray suit, her hair meticulously combed, her face devoid of expression, only her eyes behind her spectacles, sharply scanning Lynn, then falling on Hermione, and... on their still-clasped wrists.
Lynn's heart sank, and he almost reflexively released Hermione's wrist.
Hermione was also startled, recoiling her hand like a frightened rabbit, the excitement on her small face instantly replaced by nervousness.
"Mrs. Smith." Lynn stood up, trying to keep his voice calm.
"I recall saying that free time is not for you to spend all day in the Library, much less for you to be here..." Mrs. Smith's gaze swept over Hermione again, with scrutiny and undisguised coldness, "wasting time with irrelevant people, Mr. Lynn.
The Orphanage has its rules.
Have you cleaned your room?
Have you written next week's community service proposal?"
Her tone was icy, every word like a whipping lash.
Hermione nervously clutched the hem of her clothes, her small face somewhat pale; she could feel this lady's strictness towards Lynn, and her... unwelcomeness towards herself.
"I... I'll go back and do it now, Mrs. Smith." Lynn lowered his eyelids, concealing the coldness in his eyes.
He couldn't have a conflict here, especially in front of Hermione.
"Now, immediately." Mrs. Smith commanded, leaving no room for negotiation.
She glanced at Hermione again, her look seeming to say: Stay away from him.
Lynn took a deep breath, turned to Hermione, forcing a comforting smile, and whispered: "Sorry, Hermione, I have to go back now.
Shall we... continue tomorrow?"
Hermione looked at Lynn, then at the cold-faced Mrs. Smith, her big eyes filled with worry and reluctance, but she still nodded understandingly: "Mm... See you tomorrow, Lynn.
You... you be careful." She added softly.
Lynn's heart warmed, he nodded, no longer looking at Mrs. Smith, picked up his simple cloth bag (which only contained a few ordinary books), and quickly left the Library.
He could feel Mrs. Smith's cold gaze behind him, and Hermione's worried stare.
Stepping out of the Library, London's cold evening breeze met him.
The secret of the star book in the attic, the successful guidance of the "small Spark" at his fingertip, the sweetness brought by Hermione's excited and adoring eyes... were instantly diluted by the cold reality brought by Mrs. Smith.
The Orphanage was not a place to stay long.
The Hogwarts acceptance letter became his only and urgent hope.
He needed power, needed to quickly master the secrets of the star book, needed a place where he and Hermione could freely explore magic, away from such cold stares.
He looked up at the gloomy sky and clenched his fist.
His fingertip still seemed to retain the touch of that faint warm current, and the warmth of Hermione's wrist.
To protect this nascent bond and secret, he had to become stronger faster!
For their next Library rendezvous, he hoped to bring Hermione more than just a faint "small Spark."
Chapter 4: Starlight in the Secret Base and Ripples at the Fingertips
Mrs. Smith's cold warning was like an invisible barrier, but it couldn't truly block two exploring hearts.
Lynn became even more cautious; he made his attic 'secret base' more covert, covering the screen gaps with old blankets to ensure no light or sound would leak out.
At the same time, he sped up his chores at the orphanage, just to be on time for their appointment and not disappoint the little brown head in the Library corner.
Hermione, too, clearly felt some pressure.
When they met again, she no longer shared her discoveries loudly as before; instead, like a wary fawn, she first looked left and right, ensuring Mrs. Smith wasn't nearby, before quickly slipping to Lynn's side and sitting down, then mysteriously pulling a small cloth bag from her satchel.
"Lynn!" she whispered, her big eyes sparkling with the excitement of sharing a treasure.
"Look! What I found!" She carefully poured a few items from the cloth bag onto the table.
They were several stones of varying sizes and colors: deep ink black, warm milky white, and one deep blue with a strange, almost internally glowing luster.
Their commonality was their exceptionally smooth, rounded surfaces and regular, geometric shapes, as if they had been carefully selected and processed by someone.
"These stones...?" Lynn picked up the deep blue one; it was cool to the touch and felt delicate, certainly not naturally formed.
"I found them in an old stone pile in my backyard!" Hermione's voice was still very low but filled with a sense of accomplishment.
"I secretly used Dad's toolbox; it has a grinding wheel and polishing paste!
I polished them for so, so long, my hands turned red!" She held out her small hands, and indeed, one could see some faint, fresh red marks and calluses on her fingertips and the edges of her palms.
Lynn's heart was instantly filled with a warm yet poignant emotion.
This eight-year-old girl had silently done so much for their 'secret,' to find objects that could 'contain' that wondrous power.
He gently grasped Hermione's wrist (avoiding the red marks), looking at her slightly expectant gaze, his voice unconsciously softening to an extreme: "Does it hurt, Hermione?
Don't do this again; it's too much work."
"It doesn't hurt!" Hermione immediately shook her head, her small face slightly raised, with a stubbornness.
"As long as I can help, and find clues for the 'key,' it's not hard at all!
Lynn, do you think these stones, like the symbols in your book, can... can 'sense' something?" She looked at Lynn expectantly, then at the deep blue stone.
Lynn's heart stirred.
The symbols in the star book required his own Spark energy to be injected.
Whether these stones themselves had anything special was unknown, but Hermione's pure intention and initiative were themselves the most precious 'key.'
He picked up the deep blue stone; it was cold to the touch, but when he tried to very, very faintly channel a wisp of the warm Spark within him to envelop it... *buzz...*
Extremely, extremely faint!
Like a drop of water falling into a deep pool, only a nearly negligible ripple was felt from his fingertips; the stone itself showed no change.
If Lynn hadn't been acutely perceptive, he would have almost missed it.
This feeling was completely different from when guiding the star book symbols; it was more like an extremely faint resonance, or rather... a passive feedback from the stone to his energy.
"Do you feel anything?" Hermione asked nervously, her small fists clenched.
"Hmm... there's a very, very faint change," Lynn chose to tell the truth, but used more vague words, "like... like a drop of water falling on a very calm surface, creating a tiny ripple."
He put down the stone, looked into Hermione's eyes, "Hermione, your intention and effort are the best 'key.'
These stones are beautiful; you found and polished them with care, and that in itself gives them special meaning."
Hermione's eyes brightened even more; Lynn's words clearly pleased her greatly.
She picked up the deep blue stone, caressing it with adoration: "Then... Lynn, this prettiest one is for you!
It's very similar in color to that star book!" She shoved the stone into Lynn's hand without question.
"Thank you, Hermione, I like it very much." Lynn clutched the stone, which still carried the warmth of Hermione's palm; beneath its cool touch, there seemed to be a faint warmth.
He looked at Hermione's excited face, and an idea flashed through his mind.
From his simple cloth bag, he took out a small package carefully wrapped in old newspaper; inside was a short piece of fairly tough thin copper wire he'd found yesterday in a discarded woodpile behind the orphanage, and some small tools (also 'borrowed' from the orphanage tool shed).
"Since it's so special," Lynn picked up the thin copper wire and tools, shaking them at Hermione, "how about we make it a 'home' so it can always be with you?" He was referring to another milky white stone Hermione had kept for herself.
Hermione was first stunned, then her face erupted with immense surprise: "You're going to... you're going to help me make it into a necklace?
Like an amulet in a storybook?" Her small face was flushed with excitement.
"Hmm, let's try." Lynn smiled and nodded.
He carefully picked up the milky white stone, which had been polished into a teardrop shape.
Recalling some simple jewelry-making methods he had seen in his previous life, he skillfully wrapped and secured the thin copper wire around the rounded end of the stone; as his fingers moved, a simple yet sturdy frame gradually took shape.
His movements were not fast, but very focused; his slender fingers appeared exceptionally nimble in the dim light.
Hermione lay on the table, chin resting on her small hands, her eyes fixed on Lynn's movements without blinking, her long eyelashes fluttering like tiny fans, filled with adoration and anticipation.
Occasionally, she would softly suggest: "Wouldn't it look better if it wrapped around here?" or "Add another small loop?"
Lynn always responded patiently, making subtle adjustments according to her ideas.
In the small corner, there was only the faint sound of copper wire being wrapped and their occasional whispers; the atmosphere was as warm as a winter sun.
After an unknown amount of time, an exquisite pendant was completed.
The thin copper wire perfectly encased and secured the bottom of the milky white stone, extending into a simple chain link; the overall lines were smooth and possessed a rustic beauty.
"Alright, see if you like it?" Lynn gently placed the finished pendant in Hermione's open palm.
"Wow! It's amazing!" Hermione carefully cradled the pendant, examining it closely against the light streaming through the window, her small face beaming with pure joy.
"Lynn, your hands are so clever!
It's even prettier than some things in my mom's jewelry store display!" She eagerly slipped the pendant's copper wire chain around her slender neck; the milky white stone hung just below her collarbone, its warm luster making her small face appear even more vibrant.
"As long as you like it." Lynn watched Hermione's happy expression, his heart also filled with satisfaction.
He picked up the deep blue stone Hermione had given him, and imitating the style, he wrapped it with copper wire to make a simpler ornament, which he hung around his own neck.
The cool stone against his skin seemed to take on a hint of warmth.
"Look! We both have 'amulets'!" Hermione pointed to the stones on her and Lynn's chests, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled.
"Mine is called 'moon-white stone,' and yours is... 'star stone'! How about that?" She was proud of her naming.
"Okay, let's call it star stone." Lynn responded with a smile.
He took out the deep blue star book and placed it on the table between them.
"Hermione, today I want to try... for us to 'look' at this book together, okay?
Using that 'feeling' we found before." He pointed to his fingertips, then looked at Hermione.
Hermione immediately sat up straight, her small face filled with seriousness and anticipation, nodding vigorously: "Mm! Together!"
Lynn took a deep breath and slowly opened the pages.
This time, he didn't touch the complex symbols, but focused his gaze on a relatively simple pattern composed of a few dots and wavy lines.
He concentrated, activated the 'Spark' within him, carefully guided out a wisp of warm current slightly stronger than when he demonstrated it to Hermione last time, gathered it at his fingertips, and at the same time, used his mind to 'depict' and 'feel' the rhythm of that set of symbols.
*buzz...*
A familiar, clear vibration emanated from the page under his fingertips again.
The edges of the lines of that set of symbols glowed with an extremely faint silver stream of light, flashing and disappearing.
A slight sense of depletion came from the 'Spark' within him.
"I felt it!" Hermione exclaimed softly beside him, her voice filled with suppressed excitement.
"The air... the air vibrated again like water before it boils!
Right there on the page! A little more obvious than last time!" She tried hard to describe her perception.
"Very good, Hermione, your senses are very keen." Lynn encouraged, also marveling at Hermione's perception.
"Now, try, like I did before, to concentrate and imagine you also have that 'warm little Spark' in your body, imagine it flowing down your arm, to your fingertips..."
Hermione immediately closed her eyes, her small face tense, her brows furrowed into tiny knots, clearly trying desperately to concentrate.
Lynn didn't disturb her, only maintaining the faint warm current guiding from his fingertips, letting the subtle vibration and glow of the page symbols continue, providing Hermione with a 'coordinate' for perception.
Time passed minute by minute.
Lynn maintained the guidance, and the mental focus made fine beads of sweat appear on his forehead.
Hermione's small face was also flushed from the effort, her long eyelashes constantly trembling.
She could feel the increasingly clear 'vibration' coming from the page, and also the strange 'warmth' emanating from Lynn's fingertips, but within her own body... it still seemed empty, unable to find the so-called 'little Spark.'
Just as Hermione was getting a little disheartened, and Lynn was also preparing to give up the guidance—
Hermione's small hand on the table, unconsciously, her fingers slightly curled from intense concentration, *just brushed against Lynn's fingertip that was guiding energy and touching the page!*
*Buzz—!*
As if a Spark had splashed into an oil barrel!
A surge of energy fluctuation, far more intense than when Lynn guided it himself, suddenly erupted from where their fingertips touched!
The 'Spark' within Lynn was like a fuse instantly ignited; an uncontrollable warm current surged down his arm towards his fingertips!
And the symbols on the page, which had only been faintly glowing, suddenly burst into brilliant silver light!
No longer a faint glow, but a light like flowing, molten mercury instantly filled the entire trajectory of the symbols!
An invisible, gentle pushing force suddenly spread out from the page as its center!
"Ah!" Hermione gasped at the sudden light and pushing force, her body involuntarily leaning backward, almost falling off the chair!
Lynn reacted extremely quickly; his left hand instantly reached out from under the table, grabbing Hermione's back and steadying her.
At the same time, he forcefully pressed his right fingertip, forcibly severing the energy connection with the page symbols, his heart filled with terror!
It was out of control!
Because of Hermione's accidental touch, his energy output instantly went wild!
The dazzling silver light on the page quickly receded like a tide, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye, leaving only the calm symbol, as if everything just now was an illusion.
The Library remained quiet, and it seemed no one else had noticed the brief anomaly in this corner.
"Lynn... Lynn?" Hermione leaned against Lynn's arm, still shaken, her big eyes filled with shock and bewilderment.
"Just... that light just now... so bright!
And... it felt like someone pushed me?"
Lynn's heart was still pounding; he quickly withdrew the hand supporting Hermione, closed the star book, his face a little pale, half from the sudden energy depletion, half from fear.
He had been too careless!
He hadn't expected Hermione's touch to trigger such a violent reaction!
The 'Spark' within him was now noticeably much dimmer, sending out strong signals of fatigue.
"It's... it's alright, Hermione." He forced himself to be calm, his voice still a little unsteady.
"It was me... I didn't control it well; the energy output was too strong.
I scared you, I'm sorry." He chose to partially confess, concealing the key fact that Hermione's touch caused the loss of control.
Hermione patted her small chest, trying to calm her breathing, but her eyes were astonishingly bright, not with fear, but filled with immense curiosity and desire for exploration: "Oh my goodness!
Lynn!
You just... you just made that symbol glow so brightly!
It was like... like a real star!
Is this... is this what that power truly looks like?" The adoration and awe in her gaze towards Lynnalmost overflowed.
Lynn looked at the pure light in Hermione's eyes, which, instead of being scared, was filled with longing, and the fear in his heart was slightly replaced by a strange warmth.
He nodded, his tone solemn: "Yes, this is... but it also means it's very dangerous and needs to be controlled very, very carefully.
I almost hurt you just now." He looked at Hermione earnestly, "So, promise me, until we completely learn to control it, don't try it easily, okay?
Especially don't touch me when I'm guiding energy."
Hermione looked at Lynn's serious and worried eyes, feeling his concern.
She nodded vigorously, her small hand unconsciously touching the 'moon-white stone' pendant on her chest, as if drawing strength from it: "Mm!
I promise you, Lynn!
I'll be careful!
But..." Her big eyes darted around, with a hint of cunning and anticipation, "Next time you guide it, can I... can I 'feel' it carefully from the side?
Just feel, not touch you!
I want to remember that 'vibration' feeling!"
Looking at her cautious yet eager expression, Lynn smiled helplessly and dotingly: "Okay, next time I'll let you 'feel' from the side.
However, we need to find a safer place..." He looked around the Library; although the loss of control just now was brief, the risk was too great.
"I know a place!" Hermione immediately brightened with excitement, her small face glowing.
"There's a very, very small abandoned tool shed behind my house!
No one usually goes there!
We can turn it into our 'secret base'!
It's much safer than the Library!"
A secret base?
Lynn looked at Hermione's excited face, then touched the cool 'star stone' on his chest.
Perhaps it was time to change locations.
For safety, and to guard this bond that grew ever more precious because of starlight and secrets.